Page 223 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

today. The plant is a close relative to blueberries, huck- Flowers are pink and urn-shaped. The fruit are small,
leberries, and cranberries. blue-black in color, and contain many seeds. The flesh
is dark red or blue, versus the pale-green inner fruit of
Identification: This deciduous shrub grows low to blueberries. Bright green leaves are alternate with
the ground, usually less than 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall.
finely-toothed margins.

Edible Use: Bilberry is a relative of blueberry, but Anti-Cancer: The anti-inflammatory and antioxi-
has a slightly tart bitter flavor, so it is mostly used dant properties of bilberries help lower the risk of can-
cooked with sugar, though I quite like them raw. They cer. Bilberries help reduce inflammation and reduce
are often used for pies and jams. The leaves are used free radical damage in the body. They also inhibit the
for tea. growth of cancerous cells as well as help kill off
cancerous cells.
Medical Use: Bilberry is a strong anti-ox-
idant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, Liver and Kidneys and Detox Heavy
and anti-fungal that has many ben- Metals: Bilberry berry compounds help the
eficial properties. It is also a nat- body remove toxins and help improve
ural antihistamine. function of the liver and kidneys.
The berries are very high in an- It helps balance chemicals in the
thocyanins, which give it its kidneys and the anthocyanins
blue-black color, and are a strong help organs chelate heavy met-
anti-oxidant and heavy metal che- als like arsenic, lead, cadmium,
lator. Berries and leaves are used for and iron from the blood.
medicine. Medicinally, you can eat the Heart Health: Bilberries have
berries raw, in jams or jellies, or eat them many benefits for the heart and circula-
dried and powdered in capsule form. tory system. It supports the blood vessels,

Powerful Anti-Inflammatory: Bil- lowers blood pressure, and helps reg-
berries are rich in antioxidants and help ulate cholesterol levels and the
reduce free radical damage. They also fight plaque that causes atherosclerosis.
inflammation in the body. By reducing in- It also contributes to the formation of
flammation, they protect against many the healthy blood platelets and reduces
many chronic diseases that are caused or ag- the chances of a heart attack or stroke. Bil-
gravated by inflammation, including many au- berry compounds help strengthen blood vessel walls,
toimmune diseases. improving varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
Gastrointestinal Problems, Irritable Bowel
Diabetes: Compounds in both bilberry berries and
leaves help reduce blood glucose levels and insulin re- Syndrome, and Ulcers: Bilberries help soothe
sistance. Reducing blood sugar levels helps protect the the gastro-intestinal system. Tannins and anti-inflam-
kidneys, eyes, nerves, and blood vessels. Bilberries matory compounds reduce inflammation and irrita-
may also help combat obesity by decreasing fat absorp- tion in the intestinal tract. It helps relieve symptoms
tion and have been shown to both treat and prevent such as nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, and IBS. Inter-
Type 2 diabetes. nally, the leaves are both preventative and curative of
ulcers. A leaf extraction can be applied topically to ul-
Improves Vision: Bilberries are remarkable for cers in the mouth.
their ability to improve the health and function of the
eyes. It can help treat night blindness, cataracts, mac- Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Antioxi-
ular degeneration, poor vision, and chronic eye strain. dants in bilberries help slow cognitive decline and re-
duce the effects of existing symptoms. It may also im-
Bilberry protects the cells of the eye, reduces inflam- prove overall mental focus and clarity.
mation, and helps prevent damage to the ocular nerves
in diabetics. Use it internally; it is not used topically in Promotes Healthy Gums: Bilberries are anti-in-
the eyes. flammatory and help reduce inflammation and swell-
ing in the mouth and gums. The anti-inflammatory,
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